Village Idiot

And why does he have more votes than Cristiano Ronaldo

You could argue Messi has Best, Rooney, Kaka, Ronaldo as competition over the upcoming years. Leon? But yes, we're hardly through a bad patch regarding world-class footballers. I think Cesc can also enter in contention if he stays at Arsenal (a team that plays around him at the moment). His figures this year are hard to ignore. And I'd say that Messi has only been in contention for BPITW for the past two years, the first he's had injury-free.

Okay, I don't know this division as you lot (who the fuck plays in those teams?), but I had a go and had you lot tied with 93 with West Brom, champions in GD after a trilling last week where you come from behind to make it 1-2 against QPR with a late Lovenkrands goal. Forest third at 86, and I think I have been generous with their results.

He obviously needs to go on and perform like that for longer, which he can do if injuries don't get in his way. Ronaldo had everything going for being included in the pantheon in his early years, but his knees got him. I personally happen to think that the true greats are the ones that managed to change the way the game is played. People like Cruyff and Michels or the Hungarian masters. Beckenbauer and how he revolutionized the sweeper role and the idea of the deep lying playmaker... don't actually think Maradona contributed this to the game, nor think Messi will do.

Whoever survives this season out of Wolves/Hull is dead cert to go down the next, bar some extraordinary transfer business. Both are very, very poor sides.

We have invaded the pitch a few times when winning titles at home. It's fucking great and if it's small time so be it. Shit, we invaded the pitch when we signed Zlatan

Well, if he misses chances is way better than if he doesn't have them at all. His movement and linking up play was far better today than the past weeks. Messi was unreal though, at moments you could feel the panic Zaragoza had when he got the ball, he usually got triple-teamed in midfield! In other news Mallorca made his home form work again and thumped Atlético 4-1 They are again in a CL spot, with 11 games to go. Can they keep it? Thing is now they will have the "easy" games away, and some very tough cookies coming at home (Valencia, Barcelona, Real Madrid).

Holy shit, I left with 1-3 because I was being late to a meeting because of the match and when I check I see it ended 2-4, We'll see if Zlatan pulls himself from this. He's actually been more involved than in his latest games though, shame about the awfulness in front of goal.

Zaragoza pull one back :frantic:

With this goal, Messi has already surpassed last season's record personal tally in the league, with 11 games to go.

So fucking easy.

Loved how the first Zaragoza player was fouling him with his arm and Messi couldn't give a toss.

Holy fuck Messi.

Zaragoza go 442 and Guardiola puts Iniesta in, let's see if this opens up the game for us. We are in our ineffectual mode again.

Just realized Suazo has "Chupete Suazo" on his shirt, which means "Dummy" in Spanish.

A competitive race is always better. It feels great when you win the title during the last games (unless you lose it!). Last year we only really sealed the win until the 2-6 at their place, and you can't imagine how that felt! It's like those last-minute single goal wins, aren't those great?

He seems pretty lost in the pitch. It's weird though, he associated quite well during the first months... dunno. He's just a completely different player now. And we need him.

How could I forget Wolfgang Wolf of Wolfsburg

Fun fact: Piqué and Milito, our centrebacks today, were Zaragoza's first choice CB pair in the 2006 season.

http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/07_01/PaulDickovGET_468x634.jpg

Big game for Zlatan by the way. His agent has been making noises about how disappointed he was about being dropped for the Stuttgart game (Zlatan has said nowt himself).

Xavi's injuried. Iniesta is being rested I guess, he's been playing nonstop for a while. I know our midfield doesn't look as pristine without them, but should be enough to take care of Zaragoza. They are a very poor side.

While googling Paul Dickov pics for the appropiately named footballers thread I got this thing, which for some reason I found hilarious: http://www.lcfc.com/javaImages/77/ed/0,,10274~6745463,00.jpg

By the way, if you are watching the Barça game, pay attention to Zaragoza's Ander. If he can sort out the physical part of his game he will be a Spanish international.